Feb 27 Japan to close schools nationwide to control spread of virus By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Prime Minister Shinzo Abe asked all elementary, middle and high schools to remain shut until spring holidays begin in late March. Continue reading
Feb 19 Passengers begin leaving cruise ship after virus quarantine ends By Mari Yamaguchi, Foster Klug, Associated Press Many foreign governments say they won't let passengers from the ship return unless they go through another quarantine period, so it was striking to see passengers disembark, get into taxis and disappear into Yokohama, where the ship is docked. Continue reading
Feb 14 No 'Plan B' for Olympics despite novel coronavirus fears By Stephen Wade, Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press The coronavirus has infected almost 64,000 people globally with almost 1,400 deaths in China, but only one in Japan where fear is rising with so much attention focused on the outbreak. Continue reading
Feb 13 Japan reports 1st death from novel coronavirus, 44 more cases on ship By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said the first fatality is a woman in her 80s who had been hospitalized since Feb. 1 when she was diagnosed with pneumonia. Continue reading
Feb 11 How a dream cruise ended with a novel coronavirus quarantine By Laura Santhanam The Diamond Princess is quarantined until Feb. 19. Continue reading
Feb 02 Fears of new virus trigger anti-China sentiment worldwide By Hyung-Jin Kim, Associated Press A scary new virus from China has spread around the world. So has rising anti-Chinese sentiment, calls for a full travel ban on Chinese visitors and indignities for Chinese and other Asians. Continue reading
Jan 27 Global stocks tumble on coronavirus fears By Alex Veiga, Damian J. Troise, Associated Press Besides the threat to people's lives and health, investors are worried about how much damage the virus will do to profits for companies around the world. Continue reading
Jan 10 New posters for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics pay homage to Japanese art By Joshua Barajas It will be months before the world’s best runners, swimmers and gymnasts take their marks at the 2020 Tokyo Games, but you can get a preview of Japan’s artistic approach to promoting the global event now. Continue reading
Jan 09 Lebanon issues travel ban for former Nissan chief Ghosn By Sarah El Deeb, Associated Press The travel ban comes after Carlos Ghosn was interrogated by prosecutors for nearly two hours over the notice about the charges he faces in Japan over financial misconduct. Continue reading
Jan 07 Japan issues arrest warrant for Nissan ex-chair's wife By Yuri Kageyama, Associated Press The move against Carole Ghosn, who is not in Japan, followed her husband's flight to Lebanon last week while he was out on bail awaiting trial for alleged financial misconduct. Continue reading